Key Issue 3

Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.

The Highway Commissioner has no vote on the township board. I believe that the township and the township road department are not cost effective and that most of the taxpayers are paying for services that are provided by other taxing bodies. The costs are way out of line for the benefits received.

In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?

I believe that townships are an outmoded form of government in areas where cities and towns have grown almost to the borders of the townships. If there is no justification for their existence, I believe they should be dissolved. If a new role can be created for them, costs should be in balance with the services performed.

What should be the primary responsibility of township government?

The primary responsibility of townships is to provide services not provided by other governing bodies. In the case of townships, they have outlived their usefulness. There are 17 Illinois counties which have no layer of township government and they have survived just fine.

In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?

As I pointed out above, the township road department can be eliminated and there would be a substantial savings to taxpayers of $750,000 to $1 million a year.

What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?

I have worked in human resources, purchasing and fleet management for a national corporation, and have small business experience. I consider the road department to be similar to a small business in that it has a small staff, equipment to provide a service to the community and a budget to work within. I am confident that I can handle the present size and will work with local government agencies and other entities to reduce the miles to the point at which it can be dissolved.